A TEENAGE drink driver believed he would be under the limit when stopped by the police in the early hours.

Burnley Magistrates heard how David Mark Roberts, 19, also thought he was insured, but had not read the finer details of a policy he thought covered him.

Roberts, of Roland Avenue, Nelson, admitted driving with excess alcohol and not having insurance. He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £150 and must pay £55 costs.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped by officers in Nelson, when he went past a sign declaring a road was for access vehicles only or a bus route.

When he was asked if he knew what he had done, Roberts said he knew he had gone through a No Entry. His breath smelled of drink and after a roadside breath test proved positive he was arrested and taken to Colne police station. The lower of two tests there showed 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35.

Sajjad Karim, defending, said Roberts believed he was insured but had not read the finer details of a policy. The defendant had been out for a drink with his father and during the course of the evening and into the early hours, Roberts had three pints and a bottle. He believed he would be under the limit.

Mr Karim said the defendant was of previous good character and worked for an engineering firm. He wanted to apologise to the court and was ashamed to be appearing before the bench. The defendant asked the court to impose the minimum period of disqualification it could.